7/4/17
Scripture
2 Kings 16:10,11.12, 15b Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser, King of Assyria.
He saw an altar in Damascus and sent Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for it's construction. So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned. When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. v15b But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance.
Observation
Ahaz saw something he wanted and had it replicated and it became the large new altar for sacrifice offerings - but Ahaz used the bronze altar for divination - seeking guidance. He mixed the Israelite religion with a pagan religion. Ahaz tried to improve on what God had already divinely ordained for the exact dimensions and look the altars in the temple were to be. Ahaz wanted a bigger, better altar. Ahaz was trying to 'enhance' his worship to God and instead it turned his devotion from God to the new altar. He used the bronze altar for seeking guidance instead of asking God for guidance.
Application
Bigger is not always better. Keep worship simple. Don't covet! Seek guidance from the Lord.
Prayer
Father, You are my all in all. I love reading Your word and wondering what I can glean from all the wonderful stories. Teach me Lord through Your word, the life lessons You want me to learn. Cleanse my heart O God - I seek Your will and Your way. I am a life long learner, an eager student, and a willing teacher, in Jesus Name, A-men.
7/3/17
Scripture
2 Chronicles 26:5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
Observation
Uzziah's success eventually led to pride, and he coveted to have spiritual as well as already having political authority. Going against God's law, he brought incense into the temple - acting as a priest. Instead of repenting when confronted, he got angry. The Lord struck him with leprosy. God humbled Uzziah.
Application
Seek the Lord. Guard my heart against stubborn pride and repent of it. Pride deceives and hardens the heart.
Romans 12:3 "Do not think yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
Prayer
Father, forgive my sinful pride and arrogance. Help me to seek You all the days of my life. May You continue to show me areas of my life that I need to repent and submit to You. In Jesus Name, A-men.
6/25/17
Scripture
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Observation
Multitudes! All the people of the world, standing before the Lord in judgment. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is the 'valley of judgment.' The certainty of doom for those who have not yet opened their hearts to Jesus' love and forgiveness.
Matthew 9:37-38 The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers few! Pray therefore earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Application
The valley of decision is not a safe place! Pray for those who linger in the valley of decision - that they might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior! The judgment of God will come upon those who have NOT made a decision to accept Him as Savior.
Somehow in my thinking, I always thought, I have all the time in the world to make the decision to follow Jesus or not. But I have learned, we do not know how much time we have.
When I was a young girl and very sick in the hospital with appendicitis and double pneumonia - I remember praying to God for help. I was alone. Away from home, away from family and the familiar. I called out to God from my hospital bed - and He heard me. I got better and got to go home after a surgery and about 50 shots of penicillin! It was another 12 years or so before I bowed my head and my heart in the living room of Uncle Bruce and Aunt Dottie to open my life to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who died for me on the cross. Jesus forgave me of my sins, and gave me a clean heart and hope for my future - relationship with God, a solid marriage, a wonderful family, and He filled me with power when I asked Him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
I was able to lead my mom and dad, and brother Billy out of the valley of decision to knowing Christ before they died. I am so thankful for God's love, grace, and forgiveness!
Prayer
Father, may I be a vessel fit for Your use in bringing others to know You - to come out of the valley of decision by saying 'YES' to Jesus! A-men!
6/17/17
Scripture
1 Kings 21:27-29 It came about when Ahab heard 'those words', that he tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently.
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
"Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? . . . "
Observation
Ahab heard the pronouncement of judgment for the evil, wickedness, idol worshiping, murderous acts he had done as king, leading all of Israel to sin. He humbled himself before God and God sees. God sees when we truly humble ourselves before Him and seek His forgiveness. God sees the humble repentant heart of Ahab, and the judgment is postponed until the days of Ahab's son.
Application
James 4:10 "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." Humility is from God. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the death of the cross. A place to begin is to fast and pray, and ask God to reveal areas of my heart, thoughts, and attitude, that need adjustment.
Prayer
Father teach me Your ways. Give me strength to humble myself with prayer and fasting. Free me from the things that keep me from drawing near to You. In Jesus Name, A-men.
6/15/17
Scripture
2 Chronicles 16:9,12 For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
In the 39th year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.
Observation
The Lord is looking for faithful followers who love Him and seek Him with their whole heart so that He can pour out His love and strength to them. Asa did not seek God for help with his feet, instead, sought help from the physicians for what ailed him. Which is surprising because Asa was a good king. He made a covenant to seek the Lord with all his heart and soul. He removed the idols from the land and his heart was loyal to God. But then he began to lack faith in God, and he made a treaty with Syria instead of seeking God. He even began to oppress some of the people of the land. In the end, he sought help from the physicians and did not seek God for healing or for help.
Application
Stay the course! Do today well! Finish well! Be strong in the Lord! Seek Him, love Him, ask Him for help in times of trouble. If losing faith can happen to someone like Asa who was truly devoted to God, it can happen to any of us.
Prayer
Father God, I want to be found faithful to You in all I do. May I walk in a manner worthy of You; to please You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge of You - and to be continually strengthened by Your Holy Spirit. You are able to keep me from stumbling. In Jesus Name, A-men.
